S&P 500 November 2025 Performance: Pullback Analysis vs. 2008 Crisis

On November 18, 2025, a Reddit post highlighted the S&P 500’s potential worst November since 2008. Updated data shows a 3.42% decline as of Nov 18, compared to the 7.48% drop in 2008 [0]. Sector performance reveals energy (+2.01%) and utilities (+1.17%) outperforming, while consumer defensive (-1.62%) and tech (-0.55%) lag [0]. Drivers include cooling AI trade (Jim Cramer, CNBC [1]) and freight market slowdown (FreightWaves [2]). Sentiment is cautious, aligned with the pullback framing rather than crisis [0].

• The 2025 decline is less severe than 2008 but signals caution due to AI and economic slowdown signs.
• Mixed sector rotation: energy/utilities up but consumer defensive down indicates uncertainty in defensive plays.
• Cross-domain risks: cooling AI trade impacts tech, freight slowdown affects industrial sectors.

• Cooling AI trade may lead to further tech underperformance [1].
• Freight volume decline signals economic slowdown risk [2].
• Regulatory uncertainty from Trump’s AI standards proposal [3].
• Need to monitor funding spreads for systemic stress.

• Energy and utilities sectors offer relative stability amid market uncertainty [0].

• S&P 500 decline: ~3.42% (Nov 2025 as of Nov18) vs. -7.48% (2008).
• Top sectors: energy (+2.01%), utilities (+1.17%).
• Bottom sectors: consumer defensive (-1.62%), tech (-0.55%).
• Info gaps: funding spreads, oil prices, interest rates, AI regulatory details.